Centurio – Wrinkle-faced bat

An extraordinary creature that stands out in the bat world due to its unique facial appearance and fascinating behaviors. Native to Central and South America, this bat species dwells in tropical and subtropical forests, thriving in a habitat that supports its nocturnal and fruit-eating habits.

One of the most striking features of the wrinkle-faced bat is its face, which is covered with skin folds and wrinkles, giving it a rather distinctive, aged appearance. This unusual facial structure is not just for show; it is believed to play a role in the bat’s communication and sensory perception. The males possess even more pronounced wrinkles than the females, and they have a white mask-like structure that can be pulled over their faces during certain behaviors, such as mating rituals.

A particularly intriguing aspect of the wrinkle-faced bat’s behavior is its mating system, which involves males hanging from trees and emitting a strong scent from glands near their throats to attract females. This scent marking, combined with their facial mask, which they display prominently during these displays, adds to the dramatic nature of their mating rituals.

The wrinkle-faced bat can hang motionless for hours, making it almost invisible against the bark of trees. This camouflage is a defense mechanism against potential predators. Despite their somewhat eerie appearance, these bats are completely harmless to humans and play a crucial role in their ecosystems as seed dispersers and in controlling insect populations, as they occasionally supplement their diet with insects.